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Mv II 24
PTS: Mv II 26 | CS: vin.mv.02.24
Saṅghuposathādippabhedaṃ
Analysis of the Saṅgha-uposatha, etc.[1]
by
Ven. Khematto Bhikkhu
Alternate translations/layout: 'line by line' Pāḷi - English

(Mv.II.26.1) [185] Now on that occasion there were four monks staying in a certain residence on the day of the Uposatha. Then the thought occurred to them, “It has been laid down by the Blessed One that the Uposatha should be performed. But we are four people — how should we perform the Uposatha?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that the Pāṭimokkha be recited when there are four.”[2]

(Mv.II.26.2) Now on that occasion there were three monks staying in a certain residence on the day of the Uposatha. Then the thought occurred to them, “The Blessed One has allowed the Pāṭimokkha to be recited when there are four. But we are three people — how should we perform the Uposatha?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that an Uposatha of mutual purity be performed when there are three.”[3]

(Mv.II.26.3) “And, monks, it should be performed like this:

“An experienced and competent monk should inform the Saṅgha: ‘May the venerable ones listen to me, sirs. Today is the Uposatha of the fifteenth. If the venerable ones are ready, we should perform our Uposatha of mutual purity.’

“Having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, the senior(-most) monk should sit in the kneeling position with his hands placed palm-to-palm over the heart and say to the monks, ‘I, friends[4], am pure. Remember me as pure. I, friends, am pure. Remember me as pure. I, friends, am pure. Remember me as pure.’

(Mv.II.26.4) “Having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, a junior monk should sit in the kneeling position with his hands placed palm-to-palm over the heart and say to the monks, ‘I, venerable sir[4], am pure. Remember me as pure. I, venerable sir, am pure. Remember me as pure. I, venerable sir, am pure. Remember me as pure.’”

(Mv.II.26.5) Now on that occasion there were two monks staying in a certain residence on the day of the Uposatha. Then the thought occurred to them, “The Blessed One has allowed the Pāṭimokkha to be recited when there are four, and that an Uposatha of mutual purity be performed when there are three. But we are two people — how should we perform the Uposatha?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that a Purity-uposatha be performed when there are two.”[5]

(Mv.II.26.6) “And, monks, it should be performed like this:

“Having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, the senior monk should sit in the kneeling position with his hands placed palm-to-palm over the heart and say to the junior monk, ‘I, friend, am pure. Remember me as pure. I, friend, am pure. Remember me as pure. I, friend, am pure. Remember me as pure.’

(Mv.II.26.7) “Having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, the junior monk should sit in the kneeling position with his hands placed palm-to-palm over the heart and say to the senior monk, ‘I, venerable sir, am pure. Remember me as pure. I, venerable sir, am pure. Remember me as pure. I, venerable sir, am pure. Remember me as pure.’”

(Mv.II.26.8) Now on that occasion there was one monk staying in a certain residence on the day of the Uposatha.

Then the thought occurred to him, “The Blessed One has allowed the Pāṭimokkha to be recited when there are four, that an Uposatha of mutual purity be performed when there are three, and that a Purity-uposatha be performed when there are two. But I am alone — how should I perform the Uposatha?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

(Mv.II.26.9) “Monks, there is the case where a monk is staying alone in a residence when the Uposatha day comes.

“Having swept the place where the monks gather — an assembly hall, a pavilion, or the root of a tree — having set out drinking water and washing water, having laid out a seat, having made a light, he should sit down.

“If other monks arrive, he should perform the Uposatha together with them. If not, he should determine: ‘Today is my Uposatha.’ If he doesn’t determine it: an offense of wrong doing.[6]

(Mv.II.26.10) “In the case that four monks are staying together, the Pāṭimokkha should not be recited by three after having brought the purity of one. If they should recite it: an offense of wrong doing.[7]

“In the case that three monks are staying together, the purity-uposatha should not be performed by two after having brought the purity of one. If they should perform it: an offense of wrong doing..

“In the case that two monks are staying together, (the Uposatha) should not be determined by one after having brought the purity of the other. If he should determine it: an offense of wrong doing.”

Notes

1.
See also: BMCII Chap. 15: Uposatha days, and 124. Saṅghapavāraṇādippabhedā (Mv.IV.5.1).
2.
BMCII Chap. 15: Reciting the Pāṭimokkha.
3.
BMCII Chap. 15: Mutual purity.
4.
This passage indicates that the monks were already referring to each other in line with seniority in formal situations. Apparently the Buddha’s injunction at DN 16 was meant to cover informal conversation as well.
5.
BMCII Chap. 15: Purity.
6.
BMCII Chap. 15: Determination.
7.
BMCII Chap. 15: Borderline quorums.
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